The Book Of Yrr (2) - The One Ring Solo Play Report
This is the second in a series of play reports for a solo campaign of The One Ring using the Moria supplement and the solo rules for playing a band of dwarves. Here we learn of the first day's events traveling and fighting.
It was harrowing, our first day in Khazad-dûm. Our stalwart Farli is gravely injured, and our spirits are shaken by what has been done to the band we were sent to rescue. They are with us now, but no longer themselves. I write now from a place of safety as we rest, and I will record what we faced this day.
Words fail me thinking of the wonders we saw at the start of the day. Passing through the east gate, the Halls of Durin. We caught only glimpses in our flickering lanternlight as we rushed through at Yrr’s urging, but my breath halted glancing upon the looming columns, the painted walls, the doors surely hiding ancient treasures of our folk. We must make time to explore these chambers when we are able.
We faced no obstacles for hours, rushing through the halls and onto the King’s Road toward our destination, the King’s Hall. However, as we stopped briefly to rest on the road, our reprieve was broken by drums echoing from ahead and shouts in a dark tongue. They were coming upon us fast. Farli lead us in hastily constructing a barricade strong enough to hold them off while we found a way around. The twisting corridors and many levels of the Dwarrodelf may be confusing, but they also offer an opportunity at a time like this. We moved down a level and continued on our way, arriving at the King’s Hall not much longer than we would have otherwise.
Finally, we were able to stop and take in some of the beauty of this place as we carefully moved up the last part of the King’s Road in to the Great Atrium of the hall. It was a tragic sight, crystal lanterns smashed, golden statues toppled, once great doors smashed and shattered over the floor. I knew something of the place from the older texts, and suggested we search for any of the magic runes that once guarded these doors. It was good too, as Yrr found three and pocketed them for a time of need. If legend is correct, they can seal a doorway against any that might try to breach it. I sensed we would have need of these soon.
Unfortunately, we did not see any sign of the missing expedition as we searched the room. It was not until Íri’s bird came excitedly chattering back that we realized what looked like a pile of rubble on the south wall was, in fact, blocking a door to another chamber. When we investigated, we found someone had recently tunneled through there. We risked taking time to expand the tunnel with our tools, and made it in side the next room without incident.
Here our day took a truly dark turn. Inside what was once the Hall of Judgement, we found the missing dwarves, huddled and scared inside crude orc-built cage. The hall was empty, and we approached, but found them blinded and terrified that we were their captors come back to torture them further. We soothed them, speaking in our own tongue, and Galar shared food and water. They came to trust us, but would not speak—and still haven’t yet at day’s end. We suspect their tongues may have been removed, but we have not had time to check. Fearing the orcs might return, Yrr led us quickly back out and in search of a place to rest. Having traveled 12 miles already, and with at least as many left to return, we needed rest.
There was nothing close by, so Íri sent her bird further out to look. She came back crying not long after, saying she heard the bird screech in pain and then fall silent. As we rushed to investigate, the blind dwarves struggling to keep up behind us, we came head on against an orcish barricade blocking the doorway of a heavily fortified great hall. At this point, our anger won over our sense, and we drew blades to take revenge on the brutes.
Farli took the lead, rushing ahead against the barricade, but we were repulsed, and he took a spear thrust to his leg. As we held our line, hacking as we could against the obstacles, Yrr spotted the great orc leading them. Leaping a weak spot on their line, she charged back to face him. It was hard to see from our melee what happened, but it cannot have been more that two or three strong strokes of her mattock before we saw the great orc fall and she returned to unleash her fury on the back of the orcish line. Emboldened, we soon were able to push through and make quick work of the remaining orcs, leaving none alive. But, when the dust settled, we found Farli on the ground, blood gushing from his side, nearly fainting.
Thinking quickly, Yrr had us shut the doors to the chamber and sealed them with two of the magic runes she had gathered. Assuming they hold, we’ll have safety long enough to rest here, but there’s not telling what might have been drawn in by the sounds of our battle. I pray to Aulë I will live long enough to record another day. For now, I must rest until my turn on watch comes.